When my daughter called to say she and her family could come Monday to enjoy the holiday with us, I bit my tongue.
But inside I screamed, “But the U.S. Open is on!”
Therapists say a habit is considered unhealthy if it is substituted for in-person relationships.
Four times a year, I’m guilty of such a habit — tennis’ grand slam tournaments.
Though I haven’t hit a tennis ball in years, I can still appreciate the athleticism and skill displayed.
And yes, I’m hooked, with the only redeeming quality being that I watch while on a treadmill. I inherited this habit from my dad. One night he hobbled into the house, after admitting he’d watched a five-hour match that afternoon.
With the tournaments always comes some pageantry.
This year’s U.S. Open includes the retirement of Serena Williams. I’m a semi-fan.
There’s no doubt Serena elevated the level of play for women, introducing 100-plus mph serves and volleys.
I’ve watched her and her sister, Venus, play since they were teenagers. Venus, age 42, continues to play professionally in singles as well as doubles, but has not amassed the championships of her younger sister, who turns 40 in late September.
Throughout their careers, the sisters have faced incredible challenges simply because they are Black. Wherever they play, they must gird themselves not so much for the opponent across the net, but for the racist slurs from the stands and, embarrassingly, the media.
Of the two, Venus is the wallflower; Serena the star.
With that fame comes sacrifices, Chris Evert said recently. Today Evert is a tennis commentator after a very successful tennis career.
“People always tell you you’re the greatest,” she said in a recent interview. “And they can’t say no to you.
“When that happens, you become entitled and enabled. It affected my relationships with people, and my marriages.”
Serena’s scrapes with humility include her 2018 U.S. Open loss to Naomi Osaka when she repeatedly berated the umpire, spoiling what should have been Osaka’s moment of glory.
And this summer at Wimbledon, Serena refused to join other Wimbledon champions at a ceremony recognizing its 100-year anniversary, instead opting to attend a rock concert.
It’s that kind of exceptionalism that damages relationships, as Evert noted.
We’re all guilty of forgetting our place in the world.
Come Monday, I’ll be eagerly awaiting my daughter. The TV will remain off.
